Articles in this Cluster
01-07-2025
Asia-Pacific stocks were mixed as investors weighed Wall Street’s fresh records against uncertainty over U.S. tariffs with a 90-day reprieve set to expire next week. China’s CSI 300 rose 0.18% after a stronger-than-expected Caixin manufacturing PMI at 50.4. Japan’s Nikkei fell 1.24% and Topix 0.74% despite improving BOJ Tankan sentiment and the first expansion in manufacturing PMI in 13 months (50.4). South Korea’s Kospi gained 0.58% even as its manufacturing PMI remained in contraction (48.7). Australia’s ASX 200 finished flat, while India’s Sensex and Nifty were also flat; Hong Kong was closed for a holiday.
U.S. futures dipped after the S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit new highs, aided by Canada rescinding its digital services tax amid tense trade talks. A weaker dollar saw most Asia-Pacific currencies firm; the yen strengthened. Gold rose 0.77%, lifting Australian miners such as Kingsgate and Bellevue. In Japan, Chiba Kogyo Bank jumped over 25% on reports of a potential business integration with Chiba Bank.
Entities: CSI 300, Caixin Manufacturing PMI, Bank of Japan Tankan, Nikkei, S&P 500 • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
01-07-2025
Global markets stayed resilient despite a turbulent first half marked by political upheavals, trade tensions, and regional conflicts. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit record highs and are up about 5% year to date, Europe’s Stoxx 600 gained 6.7%, and Hong Kong and South Korea surged ~20%. Key drivers: Meta hit a record on AI ambitions; the White House claimed Canada dropped its digital services tax under U.S. pressure; and Elon Musk blasted Trump’s flagship spending bill as “debt slavery,” urging a new party. President Trump also criticized AT&T weeks after a Trump Mobile licensing deal. Investors are urged to “keep calm and carry on” into the second half, though debate persists over whether Europe’s outperformance can continue.
Entities: S&P 500, Nasdaq, Stoxx 600, Meta, White House • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
01-07-2025
Global markets held steady despite a turbulent first half marked by political upheavals, conflicts, and major tech developments. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit fresh records and are up about 5% year to date; Europe’s Stoxx 600 rose 6.7%, while Hong Kong and South Korea gained around 20%. Key developments: the White House said Canada scrapped its digital services tax under U.S. pressure; China’s Caixin manufacturing PMI unexpectedly expanded to 50.4; Elon Musk blasted Trump’s flagship bill as “debt slavery” and urged a new political party; and analysts see European defense firms benefiting from higher NATO spending. Separately, experts urged countries to build “sovereign AI” using open-source models and cloud infrastructure. The newsletter’s takeaway: keeping calm has paid off for investors, and that stance may continue to serve in the second half.
Entities: S&P 500, Nasdaq, Stoxx 600, White House, Canada digital services tax • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: positive • Intent: inform
01-07-2025
U.S. stock futures edged lower after the S&P 500 and Nasdaq notched fresh record closes to end a strong quarter (S&P +10.6%, Nasdaq nearly +18%). Markets rallied as Canada moved to rescind its digital services tax amid tense U.S.-Canada trade talks and ahead of the expiration of Trump’s 90-day tariff reprieve. Optimism persists on potential Fed rate cuts and a broader recovery in rate-sensitive sectors like manufacturing and housing, per Morgan Stanley’s Mike Wilson. Key data ahead include S&P Global PMI, ISM manufacturing, and JOLTS. Goldman Sachs now expects the Fed to begin cutting rates in September (three 25 bps cuts in 2025, two in 2026; terminal 3%–3.25%). After-hours movers: AeroVironment fell on equity/convertible note offerings, Progress Software slipped on a slight revenue miss but beat on earnings, and Circle rose on a reported OCC bank charter application.
Entities: S&P 500, Nasdaq, Federal Reserve, Canada, U.S.-Canada trade talks • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
01-07-2025
- Constellation Brands reports Tuesday; shares have fallen 11.5% in three months and 38% from last July’s high.
- Major indexes at mid-2025: Nasdaq 100 +7.9% (record), NYSE Composite +~7% (record), S&P 500 +5.5% (record), Nasdaq Composite +5.5% (record), Dow +3.6% (2% below Dec high), Russell 2000 −2.3% (~12% below Nov high).
- Best 2025 sectors: Industrials (~+12%, record), Communication Services (+10.6%, record), Financials (+8.4%, record), Utilities (~+8%), Tech (~+8%, record). Laggards: Real Estate (~+2%), Energy (flat, −12% from Nov high), Health Care (−2%), Consumer Discretionary (−4%).
- Top S&P 500 stocks YTD: Palantir (+80%), NRG (+78%), Howmet Aerospace (+70%). Worst: Deckers, Enphase, UnitedHealth (down ~40%).
- Analysts’ 2025 “top picks”: Amazon (most cited; flat YTD, −9.5% from Feb high), Nvidia (+17%, recent high), Meta (+26%, record).
- June auto sales due Tuesday: YTD performance—Ford (+~10%), Hyundai (+~8%), Honda (+1%), GM (−~8%), Toyota ADRs (−>11%), Stellantis (−23%).
- Tesla: five-day losing streak; 15-year IPO anniversary; −21% YTD, −35% from Dec high. A $10,000 investment at IPO would be about $2.8 million today.
Entities: Constellation Brands, Nasdaq 100, S&P 500, Russell 2000, Tesla • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
